ILLEGAL rubbish dumping on country roads is an issue Smythes Creek resident Bryan Kirby feels strongly about so on Sunday night he was horrified by the pile of garbage discarded just metres from his home.
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The rubbish went for a trail up to 300 metres down the road and included a couch. Mr Kirby, who has lived at his Finches Road address for 15 years, is concerned the problem is getting worse because of prohibitive tip fees and he has called on Ballarat City Council to lower its prices.
He said Bells Road and Haddon Common Road were particular problem areas for illegal dumping and the amount of rubbish on the stretch between Remembrance Drive and Carngham Road was unbelievable.
“The other night I saw four mattresses dumped down there,” he said.
“It’s ugly, it’s a sign of laziness and it’s a breeding ground and shelter for vermin.”
Mr Kirby said irresponsible individuals were behind the problem, skyrocketing tip fees were not helping.
He urged the council to revisit prices at its Gillies Street transfer station.
“If it’s $25 to drop off a mattress, four mattresses is $100,” he said.
“Their prices have gone up so much, a lot of people around Ballarat are thinking twice about taking a whole heap of rubbish to the transfer station.”
Under Environmental Protection law, rubbish dumping attracts three categories of fines.
The penalty for dumping rubbish litter is $282 and for dropping a small amount of litter the fine is $141.
“The City of Ballarat provides two free waste vouchers per year that can be used at council’s Gillies Street transfer station,” a City of Ballarat spokesperson said.
